Arsenal lodged a £60million bid for Moises Caicedo had been rejected on Friday football.london understands. The Gunners submitted a proposal for the Ecuadorian international to Brighton, but it is thought that the Seagulls rejected the approach promptly. That follows a £55million bid from Chelsea which was rejected earlier this week.
The two London clubs have been on the hunt for a midfielder during the January transfer window. Chelsea had their eyes set on Enzo Fernandes in the opening weeks, but have seemed to switch their attention to Caicedo more recently with Benfica refusing to negotiate over the World Cup star's £106million release clause.
Despite Arsenal and Chelsea both lodging bids for the Ecuadorian, their valuation for the midfielder has been way below what Brighton & Hove Albion hope to generate from the deal. A major bid will need to be made to potentially sway the Premier League club to sell.
READ MORE: Edu attempts Chelsea January transfer revenge to solve key Mikel Arteta dilemma for Arsenal
According to the Independent, Arsenal and Chelsea need to go to £90million to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton, with the player's rebellious actions leaving the club's stance unchanged.
Following the Gunners' bid on Friday, Caicedo released a statement on Instagram making it known that he wished to depart Brighton & Hove Albion. The statement read: read: "I am grateful to Mr. Bloom and Brighton for giving me the chance to come to the Premier League and I feel I have always done my best for them. I always play football with a smile and with heart.
"I am the youngest of 10 siblings from a poor upbringing in Santa Domingo in Ecuador. My dream always to be the most decorated player in the history of Ecuador. I am proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton which would allow them to reinvest it and help the club continue to be successful.
"The fans have taken me into their hearts and they will always be in my heart so I hope they can understand why I want to take up this magnificent opportunity."
Caicedo has now missed training with Brighton on Saturday morning, as he wants to leave immediately. Caicedo will also miss tomorrow’s FA Cup fixture against Liverpool. Furthermore, Caicedo will not return to Brighton until after the transfer window closes. However, the club's stance on a sale remains unchanged.
The transfer saga seems as though it will continue on until deadline day on Tuesday. Both clubs need to strengthen in the middle of the park, and it will cost a large sum for Caicedo to be the solution to their problems.
READ NEXT:
Why Mikel Arteta snapped at Sambi Lokonga as Thomas Partey injury reveals Arsenal transfer need
Partey, Jesus, Smith Rowe - Arsenal injury news and return dates after FA Cup trip to Man City
Lokonga nightmare sends Caicedo message, Partey injury - Arsenal winners and losers in City loss
Find the footballs on the football.london website to win cash prize, vouchers and TV worth £3,000
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
